Matching apparatus

ABSTRACT

Through a network, an administrative server is connected with a terminal of an applicant and a terminal of a company which is a seeker. The administrative server comprises an applicant information database which stores applicant information including a registered address of the applicant, and a seeker information database which stores requirement information including a registered address of the company. The administrative server calculates a matching score of the both based on the applicant information and the requirement information, and make the terminal of the applicant display an image picture of distributed seekers  52  when it is requested by the applicant. The image picture of distributed seekers  52  includes a neighboring map showing around an address designated by the applicant. On the neighboring map, there is shown matching scores of the applicant and the companies, each matching score being indicated at the registered address of the each company.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2017-212960, filed on Nov. 2, 2017. The contents of which are whollyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a matching apparatus,more particularly to a matching apparatus which is appropriate forsupplying information for effectively implementing a high qualitymatching.

BACKGROUND ART

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-97498 discloses a talented personsmatching apparatus for extracting an applicant who has a character imagematching with demands of a recruiter. The apparatus includes a firstregistration part for storing information provided by the recruiter anda second registration part for storing information provided by theapplicant. The first registration part stores employment conditionsoffered to the applicant and a personal image required by the recruiter.On the other hand, the second registration part stores objectivesexpressed by the applicant.

The conventional apparatus analyzes the requirement information storedin the first registration part and the objectives stored in the secondregistration part, and calculates a matching score of the both. Then, itis determined that the both above match each other when the scoreexceeds a threshold value.

The apparatus further includes a receiving part which receives locationinformation of both of the recruiter and the applicant. The apparatusinforms the information of the both to each other, when the distance ofthe both who are judged to match is within a threshold value distance.According to such an apparatus, both the recruiter and the applicant caneffectively extract a counterpart who matches with one's own demands orrequirements.

LIST OF RELATED ART

Following is a list of patent literatures which the applicant hasnoticed as related arts of the present disclosure.

Patent Literature 1

-   -   Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-97498

Problem to be Solved by Embodiments of the Disclosure

A recruiter wishes to select the applicant who satisfies the requirementinformation most among a lot of applicants. On the other hand, anapplicant wants to select the recruiter who satisfies one's own hopemost among a lot of recruiters. The user who uses the conventionalapparatus can obtain information of the counterpart who matched withhim. However, the user cannot judge that the counterpart is the bestfrom the information.

Therefore, a recruiter who uses the conventional apparatus have tocompare information of large number of applicants for finding out themost suitable talented person, practically. Similarly, an applicant whouses the above apparatus must compares information of large number ofrecruiters for finding out the best recruiter. In this regard, theconventional matching apparatus discussed above is not necessarilyeffective for both recruiters and applicants.

Embodiments of the present disclosure have been made to solve the abovedescribed problem, and an object of an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is to provide a matching apparatus which provide informationof the most suitable counterpart effectively to a user who tries to haveinformation of potential counterparts who are judged to match with theuser.

SUMMARY

To achieve the above mentioned purpose, a first aspect of an embodimentof the present disclosure is a matching apparatus having anadministrative server which connects via network with a terminal of anapplicant and a terminal of a seeker, wherein the administrative servercomprises:

-   -   an applicant information database which stores applicant        information including a registered address of an applicant; and    -   a seeker information database which stores requirement        information including a registered address of a seeker, wherein    -   the administrative server is configured to executes:    -   a matching process to store a matching score which is determined        based on the applicant information and the requirement        information; and    -   a seekers distribution display process to make the terminal of        the applicant display a neighboring map including a position of        an address designated by the applicant and a matching score        which the applicant is concerned with; wherein    -   said matching score displayed by the seekers distribution        display process is superimposed on the neighboring map and is        displayed at the position of the registered address of a seeker        who is concerned with the matching score.

A second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is matchingapparatus according to the first aspect discussed above, wherein

-   -   said applicant information includes information of a commute        time designated by the applicant, and    -   said seekers distribution display process includes a process of        extracting a matching score concerning with a seeker who has the        registered address in an area commutable from the registered        address of the applicant within said commute time, so as to make        the terminal of the applicant display said matching score        extracted by said process.

A third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to the first or the second aspect discussedabove, wherein said administrative server further executes a requirementinformation supplying process to make the terminal of the applicantdisplay the requirement information of the seeker who is concerned withthe matching score indicated on the applicant terminal when requested bythe applicant.

A fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a matchingapparatus having an administrative server which connects via networkwith a terminal of an applicant and a terminal of a seeker, wherein

-   -   the administrative server comprises:    -   an applicant information database which stores applicant        information including a registered address of an applicant; and    -   a seeker information database which stores requirement        information including a registered address of a seeker, wherein    -   the administrative server is configured to executes:    -   a matching process to store a matching score which is determined        based on the applicant information and the requirement        information; and    -   an applicants distribution display process to make the terminal        of the seeker display a neighboring map including a position of        an address designated by the seeker and a matching score which        the seeker is concerned with; wherein    -   said matching score displayed by the applicants distribution        display process is superimposed on the neighboring map and is        displayed at the position of the registered address of an        applicant who is concerned with the matching score.

A fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to the fourth aspect discussed above,wherein

-   -   said requirement information includes information of a        recruiting area designated by the seeker,    -   said applicants distribution display process includes a process        of extracting a matching score concerning with an applicant who        has the registered address in said recruiting area, so as to        make the terminal of the seeker display said matching score        extracted by said process.

A sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to the fifth or the sixth aspect discussedabove, wherein said administrative server further executes an applicantinformation supplying process to make the terminal of the seeker displaythe applicant information of the applicant who is concerned with thematching score indicated on the seeker terminal when requested by theseeker.

A seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is amatching apparatus for promoting matching between an applicant and aseeker, comprising a processor, wherein

-   -   said processor is configured to execute:    -   an applicant information read-out process to access to an        applicant information database which stores applicant        information including a registered address of an applicant so as        to read out the applicant information;    -   a requirement information read-out process to access to a seeker        information database which stores requirement information        including a registered address of a seeker so as to read out the        requirement information;    -   a matching process to store a matching score which is determined        based on the applicant information and the requirement        information; and    -   a seekers distribution display process to display on a display        unit or to print, for a designated applicant, seekers        distribution information including a neighboring map which        includes a position of an address designated by the applicant        and a matching score which the applicant is concerned with; and    -   said matching score displayed by the seekers distribution        display process is superimposed on the neighboring map and is        displayed at the position of the registered address of a seeker        who is concerned with the matching score.

A eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a matchingapparatus for promoting matching between an applicant and a seeker,comprising a processor, wherein

-   -   said processor is configured to execute:    -   an applicant information read-out process to read out applicant        information from an applicant information memory which stores        applicant information including a registered address of the        applicant;    -   a requirement information read-out process to access to a seeker        information database which stores requirement information        including a registered address of a seeker so as to read out the        requirement information;    -   a matching process to store a matching score which is determined        based on the applicant information and the requirement        information; and    -   a seekers distribution display process to display on a display        unit or to print seekers distribution information including a        neighboring map which includes a position of an address        designated by the applicant and a matching score which the        applicant is concerned with; and    -   said matching score displayed by the seekers distribution        display process is superimposed on the neighboring map and is        displayed at the position of the registered address of a seeker        who is concerned with the matching score.

A ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to the seventh or the eighth aspectdiscussed above wherein

-   -   said applicant information includes information of a commute        time designated by the applicant, and    -   said seekers distribution display process includes a process of        extracting a matching score concerning with a seeker who has the        registered address in an area commutable from the registered        address of the applicant within said commute time, so as to add        said matching score extracted to said seekers distribution        information.

A tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to anyone of the seventh through the ninthaspects discussed above, wherein said processor further executes arequirement information supplying process to make the display unitdisplay or to print the requirement information of the seeker who isconcerned with the matching score included in said seekers distributioninformation.

A eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is amatching apparatus for promoting matching between an applicant and aseeker, comprising a processor, wherein

-   -   said processor is configured to execute:    -   an applicant information read-out process to access to an        applicant information database which stores applicant        information including a registered address of an applicant so as        to read out the applicant information;    -   a requirement information read-out process to read out        requirement information from a seeker information memory which        stores requirement information including a registered address of        the seeker;    -   a matching process to store a matching score which is determined        based on the applicant information and the requirement        information; and    -   an applicants distribution display process to display on a        display unit or to print applicants distribution information        including a neighboring map which includes a position of an        address designated by the seeker and a matching score which the        seeker is concerned with; and    -   said matching score displayed by the applicants distribution        display process is superimposed on the neighboring map and is        displayed at the position of the registered address of the        applicant who is concerned with the matching score.

A twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to the eleventh aspect discussed above,wherein

-   -   said requirement information includes information of a        recruiting area designated by the seeker,    -   said applicants distribution display process includes a process        of extracting a matching score concerning with an applicant who        has the registered address in said recruiting area, so as to add        said matching score extracted to said applicants distribution        information.

A thirteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to the eleventh or the twelfth aspectdiscussed above wherein said processor further executes an applicantinformation supplying process to make the display unit display or toprint the applicant information of the applicant who is concerned withthe matching score included in said seekers distribution information.

A fourteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to anyone of the first through thethirteenth aspects discussed above, wherein

-   -   both of said applicant information and said requirement        information include technical background information regarding a        technical background, and    -   said matching process includes    -   a process to store a technical background matching score which        is determined based on the technical background information        included in said applicant information and the technical        background information included in said requirement information,        and    -   a process to store said technical background matching score or a        score calculated based on said technical background matching        score as said matching score.

A fifteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to anyone of the first through thethirteenth aspects discussed above, wherein

-   -   both of said applicant information and said requirement        information include syllabus information regarding acquired        subjects, and    -   said matching process includes    -   a process to store a syllabus matching score which is determined        based on the syllabus information included in said applicant        information and the syllabus information included in said        requirement information, and    -   a process to store said syllabus matching score or a score        calculated based on said syllabus matching score as said        matching score.

A sixteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to anyone of the first through thethirteenth aspects discussed above, wherein

-   -   said applicant information includes character information that        represents the character of an applicant,    -   said requirement information includes character information that        is required to a person to be hired, and    -   said matching process includes    -   a process to store a congeniality matching score which is        determined based on the character information included in said        applicant information and the character information included in        said requirement information, and    -   a process to store said congeniality matching score or a score        calculated based on said congeniality matching score as said        matching score.

A seventeenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is thematching apparatus according to anyone of the first through thesixteenth aspects discussed above, wherein said matching processincludes a score calculate process to calculate said matching scorebased on said applicant information and said requirement information.

Advantages of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure

According to the first aspect discussed above, the applicant canregister applicant information to the applicant information database byusing the terminal of the applicant. Further, the seeker can registerrequirement information to the seeker information database by using theterminal of the seeker. On the terminal of the applicant, there is showna neighboring map where the matching score is superimposed at a point ofthe registered address of the seeker. The applicant can understand atfirst sight of the neighboring map how many seekers existing around theaddress designated by himself and how much the seekers satisfying hisdesire.

According to the second aspect discussed above, on the terminal of theapplicant, there is shown distributed matching scores concerning seekerseach having a registered address in the range of the commute timedesignated by the applicant. Therefore, the applicant can understand thesituation of seekers who satisfy the commute time preference at firstsight.

According to the third aspect discussed above, the applicant can makedisplay on the terminal of the applicant the requirement information ofa seeker whom being interested in upon seeing the matching score.Therefore, the applicant can effectively obtain the requirementinformation of the seeker with whom good matching is achieved.

According to the fourth aspect discussed above, the seeker can registerrequirement information to the seeker information database by using theterminal of the seeker. Further, the applicant can register applicantinformation to the applicant information database by using the terminalof the applicant. On the terminal of the seeker, there is shown aneighboring map where the matching score is superimposed at a point ofthe registered address of the applicant. The seeker can understand atfirst sight of the neighboring map that how many applicants existingaround the address designated by himself and how much the applicantssatisfying the requirement information.

According to the fifth aspect discussed above, on the terminal of theseeker, there is shown distributed matching scores concerning applicantseach having a registered address in the recruiting area designated bythe seeker. Therefore, the seeker can understand the situation ofapplicants within the recruiting area at first sight.

According to the sixth aspect discussed above, the seeker can makedisplay on the terminal of the seeker the applicant information of anapplicant whom being interested in upon seeing the matching score.Therefore, the seeker can effectively obtain the applicant informationof the applicant with whom good matching is achieved.

According to the seventh aspect discussed above, it is possible toachieve a function to provide matching information on large number ofseekers to each of large number of applicants by the matching apparatusof a standalone-type.

According to the eighth aspect discussed above, it is possible toprovide matching information on large number of seekers to a soleapplicant by the matching apparatus of a standalone-type.

According to the ninth aspect discussed above, it is possible to achievethe same function as that of the second aspect by the matching apparatusof a standalone-type.

According to the tenth aspect discussed above, it is possible to achievethe same function as that of the third aspect by the matching apparatusof a standalone-type.

According to the eleventh aspect discussed above, it is possible toprovide matching information on large number of applicants to a soleseeker by the matching apparatus of a standalone-type.

According to the twelfth aspect discussed above, it is possible toachieve the same function as that of the fifth aspect by the matchingapparatus of a standalone-type.

According to the thirteenth aspect discussed above, it is possible toachieve the same function as that of the sixth aspect by the matchingapparatus of a standalone-type.

According to the fourteenth aspect discussed above, the applicant or theseeker can judge the level of matching with the counterpart effectivelyby focusing on the technical backgrounds.

According to the fifteenth aspect discussed above, the applicant or theseeker can judge the level of matching with the counterpart effectivelyby focusing on the acquired subjects.

According to the sixteenth aspect discussed above, the applicant or theseeker can judge the level of matching with the counterpart effectivelyby focusing on the congeniality between the character of the applicantand the character required to a person to be hired.

According to the seventeenth aspect discussed above, it is possible tomake the administrative server calculate the matching score.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of a network including atalented person matching apparatus system according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of theadministrative server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for functionally explaining the administrativeserver shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an example of an image picture of distributed seekersdisplayed on a terminal of an applicant;

FIG. 5 shows an example of an image picture of distributed applicantsdisplayed on a terminal of a company which is a seeker;

FIG. 6 shows an example of a detailed image picture of a skill matchingrate between an applicant and a company displayed on a terminal of theapplicant;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a detailed image picture of a congenialitymatching rate between an applicant and a company displayed on a terminalof the applicant;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a detailed image picture of a skill matchingrate between an applicant and a company displayed on a terminal of thecompany;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a detailed image picture of a congenialitymatching rate between an applicant and a company displayed on a terminalof the company;

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart for explaining the flow of the processperformed by the administrative server shown in FIG. 1 to make theterminal of the applicant display the image picture of distributedseekers shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart for explaining the flow of the processperformed by the administrative server shown in FIG. 1 to make theterminal of the company display the image picture of distributedapplicants shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

[Configuration of the First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining outline of a network includingtalented person matching apparatus of the present embodiment. Thetalented person matching apparatus of the present embodiment comprisesadministrative server 10. The administrative server 10 is connected to aplurality of terminals 14, 16 through the network. In FIG. 1, theterminals indicated with refer reference numeral 14 are ones ofcompanies, which are on the side of recruiting talented people. Further,the terminals indicated with reference numeral 16 are ones of applicantsapplying for an offer of companies. These above are referred to a“company terminal 14” and an “applicant terminal 16”, hereinafter.

FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the administrative server 10.The administrative server is configured by a general computer system andcomprises a central processing unit (CPU) 18. The CPU 18 is connected tomemory devices such as a ROM 22, a RAM 24, and a storage 26 through acommunication bus 20. To the communication bus 20, there are furtherconnected a communication interface 28 as well as a controller 30 and adisplay, each of which serves as a user interface. The administrativeserver 10 implements a function as the talented person matchingapparatus when the CPU 18 executes a program stored in the ROM 22.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the administrative server 10functionally. As shown in FIG. 3, the administrative server 10 includesan applicant information database 34 therein. The applicant informationdatabase 34 stores applicant information which has been sent from theapplicant terminal 16.

Specifically, the applicant information includes information such as thefollowing:

-   -   1. Basic information/Profile    -   2. Work Experience    -   3. Qualifications/Linguistic Equipment    -   4. Objectives

The above item of “1. Basic Information/Profile” includes the followinginformation:

A Full Name; Sex; the Date of Birth; a Post Code; an Address; theNearest Station; Desired Commuting Means and Commuting Time; a TelephoneNumber; a Mail Address; Married or not; the Presence of Dependent(s);Acceptability of Moving, Information of Education; and Information onthe Acquired Subjects.

The above described “Information of Education” includes the followinginformation, specifically:

A School Name; a Department/Subject Name; Arts or Science; a SpecializedField, a Graduation (or anticipated) Year; and a School Entrance Year.

The above item of “2. Work Experience” includes the followinginformation:

Employed or Unemployed; the Number of Times of Career Change; Briefdescription on the Work Experience; Detailed Work Experience; andInformation of Skills/Tools.

Specifically, the “Detailed Work Experience” and “Information ofSkills/Tools” include the following information, respectively.

[Detailed Work Experience]

Company Name; the Number of Employees; Department Name; a Role; a Typeof Employment such as a regular employee or a contracted employee;Annual Income when being employed; a Field or Type of Industry of thejob; the Types of the job; Description on the job; Career History;Product Areas in which having developing experience; and Products onwhich having developing experience.

[Information of Skills/Tools]

Available tools; Experience of Using the Tools; SupplementaryDescription on the Skill and the Tool Experiences; Date of Hired; andDate of Leaving.

The above item of “3. Qualifications/Linguistic Equipment” includes thefollowing information:

Qualifications/Rewards; Linguistic Equipment; and Skills.

Specifically, the above stated “Qualifications/Rewards”, “LinguisticEquipment” and “Skills” include the following information, respectively.

[Qualifications/Rewards]

Qualifications (a description of suitable text length, such as Class CDriving Permission); Rewards (a description of suitable text length,such as winner of the Robotics Cup Japan competition); andSelf-Promotion (a description of suitable text length).

[Linguistic Equipment]

Level of English; TOEIC score; TOEFL score; and/or Level of Languageother than English.

[Skills]

Type of skill and degree of achievement is input according to thecategory thereof. The degree of achievement is input by a method offive-grade evaluation, for example. Examples of combinations of“category” and “Type of skill” are shown below.

-   -   (Category): (Type of skill)        Technical Field/Tools: Qualifications related to an Automotive        industry    -   Products/Parts: The Body of Car    -   Type of Job: Planning/Research    -   Education: Social Science

The above item of “4. Objectives” includes the following information:

Preferable Industry (Information Communication Equipment, Computer,Semiconductor, Home Electric Appliances, Heavy Electricity, IT-relatedservices, and the like); Preferable Type of Job (Planning, Research,Design, Development, Experiment, Evaluation, and the like); PreferableWork Area (Prefectures, Districts, and/or Municipalities); PreferableCommuting Means and Commuting Time; Preferable Time to be hired; MinimumYearly Income; Preferable Way of Working.

Note that there may be registered a plurality of area as the “PreferableWork Area”. In the present embodiment, three areas, from the firstpreference to the third preference, are allowed to be registered. Inaddition to an area which covers the applicant's present address, anarea which does not cover the address is allowed to be registered as thePreferable Work Area. Hereafter, the address registered in this stage isrefereed to a “registered address” of an applicant. As for the“Preferable Way of working”, there may be prepared a Mark-Sheet Systemfor questionnaire including some questions each of which can be answeredby a method of five grade evaluation, for example. In the presentembodiment, a question of “What do you think to be important as a resultof your job?” is prepared, for example. Further, as for the presentquestion, an entry form for answering about “Which is important for youcomparing the self-realization with the contribution to society” bydesignating any one of five-grades is prepared.

As shown in FIG. 3, the administrative server 10 includes a companyinformation database 36, too. In the company information database 36,there is stored requirement information which is provided by a companyas a seeker.

The requirement information includes several types of information suchas classified as follows, concretely:

-   -   1. Basic Information about Recruiting:    -   2. Information on an Application and a Selection: and    -   3. Information about Employment and Leaving of Staffs

The above item of “1. Basic Information about Recruiting” includes thefollowing information: Department concerning the Recruiting; NewGraduates or Experienced Person; Type of Job; Subject of Job;Qualifications for Applying; Background of the Offer; The Number of NewHires; The Period of Employment; Term of Trial; Work Location; Workinghours; Salary; Holiday/Vacation; Treatments/Welfare programs; EducationSystem; Talented Person Demanding; Target person (Bachelor of Science,University Graduate, Experienced Person, and the like); Other Benefits;Skill Up Support System; Characteristic of the Offer (No Relocation,Five-Day Workweek, Company Dormitory and the like); Salary Increase;Valid Duration of Job Offer; and Other Explanation (if any).

The above item of “2. Information on an Application and a selection”includes the following information: Flow until Entering a Company; TheWay of Receiving an Application; Person to Contact; Number of times ofthe Interview; “The Nature of the Offer”; Details of the Product Field;“Useful Skills and Tools” and the like.

The above stated “The Nature of the Offer” includes information of“Personality” and “Nature” desired to the person to be hired,specifically. With regard to these items, an entry form is provided. Theentry form is used to designate in five-grades that which of twopositions that are poles apart regarding the “Personality”, for example,is desired. For the items about the desired “Personality”,Self-Introspection or Extroversion, Independence or Cooperation,Challenge Mind or Order Oriented Mind, and the like are prepared. Forthe items about the desired “Nature”, Similar person or Diversity,Creativity or Accuracy, Player or Leader, and the like are prepared.About the “Useful Skill and Tools”, an entry form which is similar tothe one that is used by the applicant for registering their [Skills] isprepared. Using this form, companies register the type and the degree ofachievement of a skill in the category of the skill, with regard to theskills desired to a person to be hired.

The above item of “3. Information about Employment and Leaving ofStaffs” includes the following information:

The number of staffs hired during the recent three fiscal years; Thenumber of staffs leaving during the recent three fiscal years; Averagelength of service; Average age of employees; and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, a technical background matching part 38 is formedwithin the administrative server 10. The technical background matchingpart 38 executes processing of calculating and storing a matching rateabout the technical background between an applicant and a company basedon the applicant information submitted by the applicant and therequirement information submitted by the company. The calculated valueabove is referred to “a technical background matching rate”, hereafter.

Inside the administrative server 10 is provided with a syllabus matchingpart 40 as well as a congeniality matching part 42. The syllabusmatching part 40 executes processing of calculating and storing amatching rate between the applicant and the company about acquiredsubjects based on the applicant information and the requirementinformation. On the other hand, the congeniality matching part 42executes processing of calculating and storing a matching rate aboutcongeniality of an applicant and a company based on the applicantinformation and the requirement information. The calculated values aboveare referred to “a syllabus matching rate” and “a congeniality matchingrate”, hereafter.

The administrative server 10 includes a commute time limiting part 44and a recruiting area restricting part 46. The commute time limitingpart 44 executes processing of extracting companies located within thearea in which the preferable commute time of the applicant is satisfiedamong all companies registered as a seeker for every applicant. On theother hand, the recruiting area restricting part 46 executes processingof extracting applicants living within the recruiting area designated bya seeker among all applicants for every seeker.

Within the administrative server 10, a company information supplyingpart 48 and an applicant information supplying part 50 are furtherconstructed. The company information supplying part 48 executeprocessing of making the applicant terminal 16 display information ofcompanies. On the other hand, the applicant information supplying part50 executes processing of making the company terminal 14 displayinformation of applicants.

[Functions of the Talented Person Matching Apparatus]

FIG. 4 shows an example of an image picture of distributed seekers 52displayed on the applicant terminal 16 of a specific applicant. Theimage picture of distributed seekers 52 is provided by the companyinformation supplying part 48 constructed within the administrativeserver 10. More specifically, the image picture is displayed when theCPU 18 in the administrative server 10 executes seeker distributiondisplay processing according to a program stored in the ROM 22.

In the image picture of distributed seekers 52, a neighboring map whichcovers an address specified by the applicant (referred to “a designatedaddress” hereafter) is displayed. The applicant may use the registeredaddress as the designated address. Alternately, the applicant maydesignate an address other than the registered address as the designatedaddress by clicking a specific point on the image picture of the map.The mark indicated on the neighboring map with a reference numeral 53 isan applicant mark. The applicant mark 53 is indicated at the registeredaddress of the applicant. Further, the mark indicated on the neighboringmap with the reference numeral such as “81”, “62”, “61” or the like” isa matching rate of the applicant with each of the companies.

As described above, the administrative server 10 includes the matchingparts 38, 40, 42 to calculate three kinds of matching rate. In thepresent embodiment, among those three matching rates, the technicalbackground matching rate and the syllabus matching rate are composed soas to calculate a skill matching rate which represent the level oftechnical matching. On the neighboring map shown in FIG. 4, a pluralityof the skill matching rates are indicated.

The individual skill matching rate is displayed at the registeredaddress of a company concerning with it. It should be noted that theregistered address of a company is the address that is registered as thework location by each company in the requirement information. Further,in the image picture of distributed seekers 52 shown in FIG. 4, thereare shown only companies each of which have a registered address withinthe area in which the preferable commute time or the applicant issatisfied, in the first preference work area of the applicant.Therefore, the applicant who look at the image picture of distributedseekers 52 can understand at the first sight how distributed companiesare within the area in which the preference of the commute time issatisfied and how much the matching rates with those companies are.

The applicant who looks at the image picture of distributed seekers 52shown in FIG. 4 is usually interested in companies with whom the skillmatching rate gets a high value. Further, since the applicant has knownall information about companies within the commutable area, it ispossible for the applicant to understand that the company of matchingrate “81” is the best place for efficiently making use of his ability.Therefore, the applicant can extremely effectively select the companywhich he should practically apply for.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an image picture of distributed applicants 54shown on the company terminal 14 of a particular company. The imagepicture of distributed applicants 54 is provided by the applicantinformation supplying part 50 constructed in the administrative server10. More specifically, the image picture is shown when the CPU 18 in theadministrative server 10 executes applicant distribution displayprocessing according to a program stored by the ROM 22.

In the image picture of distributed applicants 54, a neighboring mapwhich covers an address designated by a company, that is, the designatedaddress of the company is displayed. The person who is in charge ofrecruiting of the company may use the registered address as it is as thedesignated address. Alternately, the person in charge of recruiting maydesignate an address other than the registered address as the designatedaddress by clicking a specific point on the image picture of the map.The mark indicated on the neighboring map with a reference numeral 55 isa company mark. The company mark 55 is indicated at the registeredaddress of the company. Further, the mark indicated on the neighboringmap with the reference numeral such as “81”, “62”, “61” or the like” isthe skill matching rate between the company and an individual applicant.

The individual skill matching rate is displayed at the registeredaddress of an applicant concerning with it. Matching rates of the samevalue are shown in the same position in FIGS. 4 and 5 for convenience.However, as stated above, those shown in FIG. 4 should be understood soas to be indicated at the registered addresses of the companies whichare seekers. On the other hand, those shown in FIG. 5 should beunderstood so as to be indicated at the registered addresses of theapplicants.

Further, in the image picture of distributed applicants 54 shown in FIG.5, there are shown only applicants who live within the area in which thecommute time preference is satisfied, in the recruiting area defined bythe company. Therefore, the company person in charge of recruiting wholook at the image picture of distributed applicants 54 can understand atthe first sight how distributed applicants are within the area in whichhe is allowed to hire and how much the matching rates with thoseapplicants are.

The person in charge of recruiting who looks at the image picture ofdistributed applicants 54 shown in FIG. 5 is usually interested inapplicants with whom the skill matching rate gets a high value. Further,since the person in charge of recruiting has known all information aboutapplicants who live within the area in which recruiting is allowed, itis possible for the company person to immediately understand that theapplicant of matching rate “81” is the top candidate to have contactwith. Therefore, the company person can extremely effectively conduct aselection of applicants.

According to the talented person matching apparatus of the presentembodiment, an applicant can read on an applicant terminal 16requirement information of a company in which being interested. On theother hand, a company as a seeker can read on a company terminal 14applicant information of an applicant in which being interested. Thesefunctions are accomplished by the administrative server 10 when itexecutes programs for implementing the company information supplyingpart 48 and the applicant information supplying part 50, respectively.Now, with reference to FIG. 6 through FIG. 9, it will be described howthe detailed information about the matching rate is indicated on theapplicant terminal 16 and the company terminal 14, respectively,according to the above functions.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed image picture shown on the applicant terminal 16when desired by an applicant. On the detailed image picture, there isindicated matching rates between the applicant and ◯◯development centerof ◯◯Inc. More specifically, in the image picture 56, there are shownthat a skill matching rate and a congeniality rate between the both are“85%” and “72.5%”, respectively. Further, details of the 85% skillmatching rate are shown in the image picture 56.

As stated above, the skill matching rate includes two rates of “atechnical background matching rate” and “a syllabus matching rate”. Inthe present embodiment, the technical background matching rate isdetermined from four items of the “Type of Job”, “Education”,“Products/Parts” and “Technical Field/Tools” as shown in the imagepicture 56. The image picture 56 includes slide bars and radar chartsrespectively indicating each value of those items. The above values aredetermined based on the “Skills/Tools” information included in theapplicant information and the “Useful Skills and Tools” informationincluded in the requirement information.

Each of the matching rates above are able to be calculated in theadministrative server 10 by using an analytical method of aprobabilistic inference model or the like such as statistical attributeanalysis or Bayesian network, for example. For the calculation above,functions of artificial intelligence which understand a natural languagemay be utilized in a process for digitizing linguistic information. Itshould be noted that the determination steps of the matching rates arenot limited to the above, and human judgments may be combined to a partof or all of them. This point is also applicable to determination stepsfor the other matching rates described below.

The syllabus matching rate is determined based on the “AcquiredSubjects” information included in the applicant information and the“Useful Skills and Tools” information included in the requirementinformation. The “Useful Skills and Tools” information does notnecessarily include information of acquired subjects. In the presentembodiment, relationships between each items of the acquired subjectsand each items of skills or tools are predefined, so the matching ratesfor the acquired subjects can be calculated from the information of the“Useful Skills and Tools”. This method is also applicable to thecalculation of other matching rates.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed image picture 58 about the congeniality matchingrate between an applicant and ◯◯ Development Center. The detailed imagepicture 58 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed when the part indicating“Congeniality Matching Rate 72.5%” in the detailed image picture 56shown in FIG. 6 is clicked. In the detailed image picture 58 shown inFIG. 7, there are indicated matching rates of items which are details ofthe congeniality matching rate between the applicant and the company.These matching rates are determined based on the information of “BriefDescription on the Work Experience”, “Description on the job”,“Supplementary Description on the Skill and the Tool Experiences”,“Qualifications/Rewards” and the likes in the applicant information aswell as “The Nature of the Offer” in the requirement information.

On the stage of determining the congeniality matching rate, a method ofthe analysis to personalize can be employed in order to digitize thecharacter and tendency of a person by analyzing documents and/orexpressions on conversations of the person. In the present embodiment,the above method is used for analyzing various descriptions included inthe applicant information and then digitizing them.

FIG. 8 shows a detailed image picture 60 of matching rates of aparticular applicant displayed on the company terminal 14 of a company,when desired.

In the detailed image picture 60, there are indicated slide bars and aradar chart about each details of a technical matching rate (Type ofJob, Education, Products/Parts, Technical Field/Tools) as well as aslide bar of a syllabus matching rate, as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed image picture 62 about the congeniality matchingrate between a company and particular applicants. In the detailed imagepicture 62, matching rates for items which are details of thecongeniality matching rate are shown as show in FIG. 7. Note that theways for determining the numeric value shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 areidentical with those employed for determining the numerical values shownin FIGS. 6 and 7. So, redundant explanation will be omitted here foravoiding repetition. Further, it should be noted that the numeric valuesin FIGS. 8 and 9 are shown just for exemplary purpose, and mutualcorrespondences are not considered between the both.

[Typical Process in the Administrative Server]

FIG. 10 is a flowcharts for describing a flow of a processing executedby the administrative server 10 to display seeker's distribution. Theroutine shown in FIG. 10 is started when an applicant demands supply ofcompany information to the administrative server 10 through theapplicant terminal 16. In the present routine, at first, applicantinformation of the applicant is read out from the applicant informationdatabase 34 (step 100).

Then, company information including requirement information is read outwith regard to a specific company among those registered as seekers fromthe company information database 36 (step 102).

Then, it is determined whether the registered address of the companysatisfies the preferable commute time of the applicant (step 104).Specifically, a typical commuting root which links the registeredaddress of applicant to registered address of company is determined,then it is determined whether the commute time by the determined root iswithin the preferable commute time of the applicant.

As a result, when it is determined that the company does not satisfy thepreferable commute time of the applicant, processing of steps 106through 110 are jumped, and processing of step 112 is performed next. Onthe other hand, when it is determined that the preferable commute timeis satisfied, processing for the technical background matching isperformed next (step 106). Specifically, it is determined firstlywhether a technical background matching rate between the applicant andthe company has been already recorded in the administrative server 10.In a case where it has been recorded, the technical background matchingrate is read out. On the other hand, when it is not recorded, atechnical background matching rate is calculated by the way describedabove with reference to FIG. 6, and then it is stored.

Following the above processing, processing for the syllabus matching iscarried out (step 108). As the case of the technical background matchingrate, a syllabus matching rate is read out when it has been alreadyrecorded. On the other hand, when it is not recorded, a syllabusmatching rate is calculated by the way described above with reference toFIG. 6, and then it is recorded.

Next, processing for the congeniality matching is carried out (step110). Here, a congeniality matching rate is read out when it has beenalready recorded. On the other hand, when it is not recorded, acongeniality matching rate is calculated by the way described above withreference to FIG. 7, and then it is recorded.

After completion of the above, it is determined whether the aboveprocesses are executed for all the companies registered as a seeker(step 112). When it is determined that the above processes are not yetexecuted for all the companies, processing of step 102 and the sequencesare performed for a next company.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the processes for all thecompanies are completed, next processing is executed to display on theapplicant terminal 16 an image picture of distributed seekers (see, FIG.4) in which the results of the matching rates are reflected (step 114).

The administrative server 10 may display on the applicant terminal 16 alist of all the companies displayed in the image picture of distributedseekers (see, FIG. 4), for example, in addition to execute the processesshown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, the administrative server 10 may provideto the applicant terminal 16 information of a recruiting offer of acompany which is designated by the applicant via the list or the imagepicture of distributed seekers. The applicant, thereby, can narrow thetarget of companies interesting extremely effectively.

FIG. 11 is a flowcharts for describing a flow of a processing executedby the administrative server 10 to display applicant's distribution. Theroutine shown in FIG. 11 is started when a company as a seeker demandssupply of applicant information to the administrative server 10 throughthe company terminal 14. In the present routine, at first, informationof the company including requirement information is read out from thecompany information database 36 (step 120).

Then, applicant information of an applicant who is the target ofprocessing of the present process cycle is read out from the applicantinformation database 34 (step 122).

Then, it is determined whether the registered address of the applicantis located within a recruiting area designated by the company (step124).

As a result, when it is determined that the registered address of theapplicant is out of the recruiting area, processing of steps 126 through130 are jumped, and processing of step 132 is performed next. On theother hand, when it is determined that the requirement of the recruitingarea is satisfied, processes for the technical background matching (step126), the syllabus matching (step 128) and the congeniality matching(step 110) are carried out sequentially. These processes are proceededby ways substantially same as the processes of steps 106, 108 and 110shown in FIG. 10.

After completion of the above, it is determined whether the aboveprocesses are executed for all the applicants registered in theapplicant information database 34 (step 132). When it is determined thatthe above processes are not yet executed for all the applicants,processing of step 122 and the sequences are performed for a nextapplicant.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the processes for all theapplicants are completed, next processing is executed to display on thecompany terminal 14 an image picture of distributed applicants (see,FIG. 5) in which the results of the matching rates are reflected (step114).

The administrative server 10 may display on the company terminal 14 alist of all the applicants displayed in the image picture of distributedapplicants (see, FIG. 5), for example, in addition to execute theprocesses shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, the administrative server 10may provide to the company terminal 14 information of a specificapplicant designated by a person of the company who is in charge ofrecruiting via the list or the image picture of distributed applicants.The person in charge of recruiting, thereby, can narrow the target ofapplicants interesting extremely effectively.

Modification of the First Embodiment

In the first embodiment stated above, particular examples are describedas items of the applicant information to be registered by an applicantand the requirement information to be registered by a company. However,they are not limited as above. Items included in the applicantinformation or the requirement information can be appropriately changedas necessary.

Further, in the first embodiment 1 stated above, skill matching ratesare indicated in both of the image picture of distributed seekers 52shown in FIG. 4 and the image picture of distributed applicants 54 shownin FIG. 5. However, the indications are not limited to those. Forexample, anyone of technical background matching rates, syllabusmatching rates, and congeniality matching rates may be indicated inplace of the skill matching rates. Alternatively, integrated values ofany combination of the above three types of matching rates may beindicated instead. Further, it may be decided by the applicants and thecompanies as users, what kind of matching rates should be indicated.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, matching level of anapplicant and a company is evaluated by the three items of technicalbackground, syllabus and congeniality. However, the present disclosureis not limited to the above. That is, the names given to those items arenot limited to the above and can be changed to appropriate ones.Further, other items expressing the level of matching between anapplicant and a company may be created so as to be added to the abovedescribed three items or replaced with anyone of the three items above.

In the first embodiment stated above, how much an applicant and acompany match each other is expressed by matching rates. However, thevalue representing the level of matching is not limited to “rate(s)”,and may be replaced to any score(s) such as one(s) based on five-gradeevaluation or ten-grade evaluation which can be used for expressing thelevel of matching.

In the first embodiment stated above, the companies displayed on theimage picture of distributed seekers 52 are limited to those whichsatisfy the preferable commute time of the applicant. Similarly, theapplicants displayed on the image picture of distributed applicants 54is limited to those who satisfy the requirement of the recruiting area.However, these limitations are not necessarily the essential elements ofthe present disclosure. Information of companies and applicants that arenot restricted by the above limitation may be provided to the applicantterminal 16 and the company terminal 14.

In the first embodiment stated above, the function for supplying theimage picture of distributed seekers 52 to the applicant terminal 16 andthe function for supplying the image picture of distributed applicants54 to the company terminal 14 are both achieved in the administrativeserver 10. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above.The matching apparatus may be constructed so that only one of the abovetwo functions may be achieved in the administrative server 10.

In the first embodiment stated above, a companies seeking talentedpeople is referred to a “seeker” as well as a people seeking a job iscalled an “applicant”. However, the combination of the seeker and theapplicant is not limited to the above example. The scope of the presentdisclosure covers a matching apparatus in which following combinationsare applied to the “seeker” and the “applicant”:

-   -   a retailer and a consumer;    -   a man and a woman who are seeking a partner;    -   a restaurant and a customer;    -   a company offering a service and a company wanting to outsource        the service; and    -   users of dating site.

Further, in the first embodiment stated above, company terminals 14 andapplicant terminals 16 are used as interface for inputting andoutputting information. However, the present disclosure is not limitedto the above. For example, a matching apparatus having interface forinputting and outputting of information may be set in an organizationsuch as university which needs to help student to find a job. In thiscase, the applicant information database 34 and the company informationdatabase 36 may be provided in the apparatus, or may be prepared outsidethe apparatus. This modification supports the seventh aspect of thepresent disclosure described above.

Alternatively, the matching apparatus according to the presentdisclosure may be owned by an applicant individually. In this case,applicant information needed is just of the owner's one, and those ofother persons are not necessary. So, the applicant information database34 may be replaced to a memory storing the applicant information of theindividual applicant. Further, the company information database 36 maybe prepared outside the apparatus. This modification supports the eighthaspect of the present disclosure described above.

Moreover, the matching apparatus according to the present disclosure maybe owned by a company, i.e., a seeker. In this case, requirementinformation needed is just of the owner's one, and those of othercompanies are not necessary. So, the company information database 36 maybe replaced to a memory storing the requirement information of the solecompany. Further, the applicant information database 34 may be preparedoutside the apparatus. This modification supports the eleventh aspect ofthe present disclosure described above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A matching apparatus comprising an administrativeserver which connects via network with a terminal of an applicant and aterminal of a seeker, wherein the administrative server comprises: acommunication interface which receives applicant information including aregistered address of an applicant; an applicant information databasewhich stores the applicant information; a communication interface whichreceives requirement information including a registered address of aseeker; and a seeker information database which stores the requirementinformation, wherein the administrative server is configured to execute:a matching process to store a matching score which is determined basedon the applicant information and the requirement information; and aseekers distribution display process to make the terminal of theapplicant display a neighboring map including a position of an addressdesignated by the applicant and a matching score which the applicant isconcerned with; wherein said matching score displayed by the seekersdistribution display process is superimposed on the neighboring map andis displayed at the position of the registered address of a seeker whois concerned with the matching score.
 2. The matching apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said applicant information includesinformation of a commute time designated by the applicant, and saidseekers distribution display process includes a process of extracting amatching score concerning with a seeker who has the registered addressin an area commutable from the registered address of the applicantwithin said commute time, so as to make the terminal of the applicantdisplay said matching score extracted by said process.
 3. The matchingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said administrative serverfurther executes a requirement information supplying process to make theterminal of the applicant display the requirement information of theseeker who is concerned with the matching score indicated on theapplicant terminal when requested by the applicant.
 4. The matchingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein both of said applicantinformation and said requirement information include technicalbackground information regarding a technical background, and saidmatching process includes: a process to store a technical backgroundmatching score which is determined based on the technical backgroundinformation included in said applicant information and the technicalbackground information included in said requirement information, and aprocess to store said technical background matching score or a scorecalculated based on said technical background matching score as saidmatching score.
 5. The matching apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid applicant information includes character information thatrepresents the character of an applicant, said requirement informationincludes character information that is required to a person to be hired,and said matching process includes: a process to store a congenialitymatching score which is determined based on the character informationincluded in said applicant information and the character informationincluded in said requirement information, and a process to store saidcongeniality matching score or a score calculated based on saidcongeniality matching score as said matching score.
 6. The matchingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said matching process includes ascore calculate process to calculate said matching score based on saidapplicant information and said requirement information.
 7. A matchingapparatus comprising an administrative server which connects via networkwith a terminal of an applicant and a terminal of a seeker, wherein theadministrative server comprises: a communication interface whichreceives applicant information including a registered address of anapplicant; an applicant information database which stores the applicantinformation; a communication interface which receives requirementinformation including a registered address of a seeker; and a seekerinformation database which stores the requirement information, whereinthe administrative server is configured to execute: a matching processto store a matching score which is determined based on the applicantinformation and the requirement information; and an applicantsdistribution display process to make the terminal of the seeker displaya neighboring map including a position of an address designated by theseeker and a matching score which the seeker is concerned with; whereinsaid matching score displayed by the applicants distribution displayprocess is superimposed on the neighboring map and is displayed at theposition of the registered address of an applicant who is concerned withthe matching score.
 8. The matching apparatus according to claim 7,wherein said requirement information includes information of arecruiting area designated by the seeker, and said applicantsdistribution display process includes a process of extracting a matchingscore concerning with an applicant who has the registered address insaid recruiting area, so as to make the terminal of the seeker displaysaid matching score extracted by said process.
 9. The matching apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein said administrative server furtherexecutes an applicant information supplying process to make the terminalof the seeker display the applicant information of the applicant who isconcerned with the matching score indicated on the seeker terminal whenrequested by the seeker.
 10. The matching apparatus according to claim7, wherein both of said applicant information and said requirementinformation include technical background information regarding atechnical background, and said matching process includes: a process tostore a technical background matching score which is determined based onthe technical background information included in said applicantinformation and the technical background information included in saidrequirement information, and a process to store said technicalbackground matching score or a score calculated based on said technicalbackground matching score as said matching score.
 11. The matchingapparatus according to claim 7, wherein said applicant informationincludes character information that represents the character of anapplicant, said requirement information includes character informationthat is required to a person to be hired, and said matching processincludes: a process to store a congeniality matching score which isdetermined based on the character information included in said applicantinformation and the character information included in said requirementinformation, and a process to store said congeniality matching score ora score calculated based on said congeniality matching score as saidmatching score.
 12. The matching apparatus according to claim 7, whereinsaid matching process includes a score calculate process to calculatesaid matching score based on said applicant information and saidrequirement information.
 13. A matching apparatus for promoting matchingbetween an applicant and a seeker, comprising processor circuitry,wherein said processor circuitry is configured to execute: an applicantinformation read-out process to access to an applicant informationdatabase which stores applicant information including a registeredaddress of an applicant, which is received in a first communicationinterface, so as to read out the applicant information; a requirementinformation read-out process to access to a seeker information databasewhich stores requirement information including a registered address of aseeker, which is received in a second communication interface, so as toread out the requirement information; a matching process to store amatching score which is determined based on the applicant informationand the requirement information; and a seekers distribution displayprocess to display on a display unit or to print, for a designatedapplicant, seekers distribution information including a neighboring mapwhich includes a position of an address designated by the applicant anda matching score which the applicant is concerned with; and saidmatching score displayed by the seekers distribution display process issuperimposed on the neighboring map and is displayed at the position ofthe registered address of a seeker who is concerned with the matchingscore.
 14. The matching apparatus according to claim 13, wherein saidapplicant information includes information of a commute time designatedby the applicant, and said seekers distribution display process includesa process of extracting a matching score concerning with a seeker whohas the registered address in an area commutable from the registeredaddress of the applicant within said commute time, so as to add saidmatching score extracted to said seekers distribution information. 15.The matching apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said processorcircuitry further executes a requirement information supplying processto make the display unit display or to print the requirement informationof the seeker who is concerned with the matching score included in saidseekers distribution information.
 16. The matching apparatus accordingto claim 13, wherein both of said applicant information and saidrequirement information include technical background informationregarding a technical background, and said matching process includes: aprocess to store a technical background matching score which isdetermined based on the technical background information included insaid applicant information and the technical background informationincluded in said requirement information, and a process to store saidtechnical background matching score or a score calculated based on saidtechnical background matching score as said matching score.
 17. Thematching apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said applicantinformation includes character information that represents the characterof an applicant, said requirement information includes characterinformation that is required to a person to be hired, and said matchingprocess includes: a process to store a congeniality matching score whichis determined based on the character information included in saidapplicant information and the character information included in saidrequirement information, and a process to store said congenialitymatching score or a score calculated based on said congeniality matchingscore as said matching score.